Vehicle Thermal Flow Path Switching for Air Bubble Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In existing thermal management systems for vehicles, connecting all flow paths to a reserve tank can be challenging, leading to air bubble generation and pump deterioration due to separated flow paths without reserve tanks.
Innovation Solution
A thermal management system with a first flow path without a reserve tank and a second flow path with a reserve tank, controlled by a switching device and a control device that connects these paths based on trigger conditions to manage air bubbles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a flow path is separated from the reserve tank to simplify system structure, then device complexity is reduced, but air bubbles are generated and accumulate in the thermal medium
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a switching device that dynamically connects or disconnects the first flow path from the second flow path based on operational conditions. This dynamic configuration allows the system to adapt between having separated flow paths (reducing complexity) and connected flow paths (preventing air bubble accumulation), resolving the contradiction through conditional structural transformation
Solution Approach 2:
The control device changes the operational parameter of the switching device based on trigger conditions (thermal medium exchange, system restart, trip number accumulation). By changing the connection state parameter of the flow paths according to these conditions, the system prevents air bubble accumulation while maintaining structural simplicity during normal operation
2Object-generated harmful factors
If all flow paths are connected to the reserve tank to prevent air bubbles, then air bubble accumulation is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the thermal management system into multiple flow paths (first flow path without reserve tank, second flow path with reserve tank) that can be independently configured. The switching device enables selective connection between these segments, allowing the system to maintain simplicity in normal operation while providing full connectivity when needed to prevent air bubble accumulation
Solution Approach 2:
Rather than maintaining a static fully-connected structure, the system dynamically adjusts the connection state between flow paths based on operational triggers. This dynamic approach allows the system to achieve air bubble prevention only when necessary, thereby reducing overall device complexity while still addressing the air bubble issue when triggered by specific conditions
3Object-generated harmful factors
If the switching device connects flow paths frequently to prevent air bubbles, then air bubble accumulation is reduced, but pump wear increases due to frequent operation
Solution Approach 1:
The control device executes connection control based on periodic trigger conditions such as accumulated trip numbers reaching a predetermined value. This periodic action pattern allows the switching device to operate at intervals rather than continuously, reducing pump wear while still effectively preventing air bubble accumulation through scheduled connection events
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary connection control when trigger conditions are established (such as upon system restart or when trip number thresholds are reached). By proactively connecting flow paths at these predetermined moments, the system prevents air bubble accumulation before it becomes a problem, reducing the need for frequent corrective operations that would increase pump wear
Data Source
AI summary
A thermal management system for performing thermal management of a vehicle using a thermal medium includes a first flow path not provided with a reserve tank, a second flow path provided with a reserve tank, a switching device configured to be switchable between connection and disconnection of the first and second flow paths, and a control device for controlling the switching device. The control device executes connection control when at least one of preset one or more trigger conditions is satisfied and a predetermined circumstance is satisfied. The one or more trigger conditions include at least one of: an instruction regarding the exchange of the thermal medium is transmitted from an external tool to the control device; a restart of the control device after the auxiliary battery is removed from the vehicle; and an integrated value of the trip number of the vehicle has reached the predetermined value.